We played it too loud. We played it too fast. We played it our own way without paying any attention to the band leader. It was the perfect pep band song.
It was exhilarating to be immersed in the moment of performance and feel the energy of the band flow out into the audience. We rocked this song like no other. And that's saying something. Because we played a lot of songs very well, including…
The Peter Gunn Theme
I never saw a single episode of Peter Gunn, but DANG! This theme song is good!
The Stripper
I originally thought that I remembered Sheldon stripping to "Night Train." But I was reminded that it was really this song that had people in the audience wondering, "Why is that trombone player wearing long gloves?"
Don't Stop Believin'
I think Banyas got a guy to write an arrangement of this song for us. I doubt anyone else has the same one. That means we're special.
Eye of the Tiger
The wrestlers loved this one, too. It is a worthy successor to the Theme from Rocky, and the only reason it didn't make this list is because it had lyrics, so I didn't listen to it on my mission. But there are very few pep band songs that ooze raw determination and sheer guts like this one.
The Tide is High
Why we ever started playing this song as a pep band song is a mystery to me. Apparently, we were running low on reggae. But it had some very nice parts for both trumpet and trombone, and that's enough reason for me to play it.
Celebration
People loved this song, and it was always fun to play it, except when we were in the middle of the song and the opposing team scored a touchdown, and we'd end up playing in celebration of the rival's domination of our own team. "Yeah! We're losing! Waaaah-HOO!"
Bugler's Dream (Olympic Theme)
The opening part of this song is a goose-bumping bugle call that we played in many a concert.
The Raider's Theme from Indiana Jones and the Lost Ark
A whip-crackin' movie theme for the trumpeters.
The Theme from Star Trek the Motion Picture (the first one)
Dammit, Jim!
When the Saints Go Marching In
Loved playing this one like Louis!
Playing in the school band for 7 years gave me an appreciation for music that I don't think I would have ever developed without that experience. Today, I can hear a song--especially movie themes and rock songs with a little brass in them--and think, "What would it be like to play this song?" and I'll get goosebumps just imagining what it would have been like to play it in front of a crowd with all of my friends in the band playing with me.
Thank you Mr. Banyas!
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